Cancer-Related Fatigue – Clinical Evaluation Scales and Interventions: A Systematic Review

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most frequent and prevalent symptoms expressed by cancer patients and cancer survivors. It is a multifactorial phenomenon that causes a direct detrimental impact on quality of life. Objectives: This systematic review aims to identify different clinical evaluation scales and interventions available for fatigue associated with cancer. Materials and Methods: A methodology of the systematic literature review was carried out. Two separate databases PubMed and Google Scholar searches were performed using different MeSH terms. Results: A total of 2611 research articles were screened and identified 10 unidimensional scales (four with one item scales and six with numerous item scales) and 13 multidimensional scales which are available for the screening and clinical evaluation of fatigue. Reviews have also revealed non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise, complementary therapies, nutritional and psychoeducational interventions, sleep therapy, energy therapy, bright white light, restorative therapies upcoming anthroposophical medicine, and various pharmacological agents effective in managing CRF. Conclusion: Clinical evaluation of fatigue and its management is crucial for improving the quality of life. Yet, more rigorous research studies with higher statistical power need to be conducted on these interventions to generate adequate evidences for managing the CRF.

Light Therapy for QoL/Depression in AYA With Cancer: A Randomized Trial

Objective Secondary outcomes from a published feasibility and acceptability trial were examined to explore the effect of bright white light (BWL) on quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms compared to dim red light (DRL) control in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) receiving cancer-directed therapy. Methods Fifty-one AYAs (12–22 years, 51% male) newly diagnosed with cancer were randomized to receive 8 weeks of BWL (n = 26) or DRL (n = 25). The CDI-2 (total score, negative mood/physical symptoms, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, and negative self-esteem) and parent- and self-report PedsQL (total score and subscales of physical, emotional, social, and school QoL) were completed at multiple timepoints. Results BWL produced improvements in self-reported total depression (d = −.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.26, −0.01), negative self-esteem (d = −.80; 95% CI = −1.43, −.14), negative mood/physical symptoms (d = −.73; 95% CI = −1.36, −0.08), ineffectiveness (d = −.43; 95% CI = −1.04, .19), total self-reported QoL (d = .41; 95% CI = −.16, .96), emotional (d = .78; 95% CI = .19, 1.37), school functioning (d = .48; 95% CI = −.09, 1.04), and parent-reported school functioning (d = .66; 95% CI = 0.02, 1.33). BWL reported a greater rate of improvement than DRL for total depression (β = .49, p < .05) and self-esteem (β = .44, p < .05), and parent-reported school functioning (β = −1.68, p < .05). Conclusions BWL improved QoL and depressive symptoms for AYAs with cancer. These findings will inform larger randomized controlled trials.

Indium-antimony-halide single crystals for high-efficiency white-light emission and anti-counterfeiting

Although single-source white emissive perovskite has emerged as a class of encouraging light-emitting material, the synthesis of lead-free halide perovskite materials with high luminous efficiency is still challenging. Here, we report a series of zero-dimensional indium-antimony (In/Sb) alloyed halide single crystals, BAPPIn2–2xSb2xCl10 (BAPP = C10H28N4, x = 0 to 1), with tunable emission. In BAPPIn1.996Sb0.004Cl10, bright yellow emission with near 100% photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is yielded when it was excited at 320 nm, which turns into bright white-light emission with a PLQY of 44.0% when excited at 365 nm. Combined spectroscopy and theoretical studies reveal that the BAPP4+-associated blue emission and inorganic polyhedron–afforded orange emission function as a perfect pair of complementary colors affording white light in BAPPIn1.996Sb0.004Cl10. Moreover, the interesting afterglow behavior, together with excitation-dependent emission property, makes BAPPIn2–2xSb2xCl10 as high-performance anti-counterfeiting/information storage materials.

The effects of bright white light therapy on obese frailty in older men with prostate cancer on hormonal therapy: A pilot randomized control trial.

75 Background: Exposure to bright white light (BWL) has been shown to improve outcomes including fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances among the general older population but the benefit has not been demonstrated as yet in prostate cancer. Older men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are at risk for obese frailty (components: fatigue, weakness, poor mood, slowness and obesity). In this pilot study, we aimed to determine if BWL, compared to dim white wight (DWL), reduces obese frailty in older prostate cancer patients starting anti-androgens. Methods: Men age ≥ 65 with prostate cancer initiating ADT were randomly assigned to either the BWL (exposure to full spectrum light, 500-1500 lux) or DWL cohort (exposure to low dose white light (<50 lux)) and were blinded to assignment. Men received daily 30-minute morning light session from special glasses (Luminette) for 3 months. Participants were assessed at the beginning of treatment and 3 months later with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) - including timed 4m walk, tandem balance, and timed chair stands (range: 0 to 12) - energy levels (self-reported 5-point Likert scale), waist circumference (measured via tape (mm)), and muscle strength (handgrip: assessed via dynamometer (kg)). Pre-post outcomes (means differences) were evaluated using paired t-tests with a p-value of 0.05 considered significant. Results: 18 patients (9 per cohort) were recruited. Patients in the BWL arm showed a statistically significant improvement in muscle strength (BWL p=0.012 versus in DWL p=0.22). Compared with DWL, BWL arm showed no decline in energy levels, (BWL p=0.28 vs. DWL p=0.035) nor gain in waist circumference (BWL p=0.51, DWL p=0.046). There were no statistically significant differences in either arm on the SPPB (BWL p=0.44, and in DWL p=0.09). Conclusions: BWL may offset negative effects of ADT for older men with prostate cancer, through improved muscle strength, maintained energy levels, and no waist circumference gain. While a small pilot study, the intervention warrants further research in a larger sample.

Broadband white-light emission in a one-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid cadmium chloride with face-sharing CdCl6 octahedral chains

A new one-dimensional Cd-based hybrid halide with face-sharing CdCl6 octahedral chains exhibited a bright white-light emission upon ultraviolet photoexcitation.

A color-tunable single molecule white light emitter with high luminescence efficiency and ultra-long room temperature phosphorescence

A simple emitter could simultaneously achieve bright white light emission with high quantum yield, ultra-long phosphorescence and excitation-dependent color-tunable emission.

Facile passivation of yellow light emitting CdSe QDs by polyethyleneimine in water to achieve bright white light emission

A bright white light emitting material based on CdSe QDs were prepared by a facile post-synthetic treatment of passvating the QDs by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) in water. The CdSe@PEI aqueous...